Phonograph



E. F. Amm-sawsl PHoNoGRAPH Filed April 22, 1951 QN N PHONCGRAPH med Aprii 22. 1951 3 sheets-sheet 2 Y'15 table and 'adaptedV to be 4depressed Patented Jan. 2 1, 1936 PATENT OFFICE rnoNoGnArn IApplication Api-11 `z2, 1031, semi No. 531,860 40 claims. (cr 274-10) This invention relates to phonographs and par- .l the depressing pin taken at the line I'l-II of Fig. 3.`

`ticularly to phonographs which are adapted to` play series of records in succession.

. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a. table adapted to receive a series of records I adapted to be engaged by a depressible pin which is resiliently pushedoutwardly. i

` A further object of the invention is to provide a depressing pin adapted to depress the depressible pin andremove the record from the table, the

effective length of said depressingl pin being-adl justable to accommodate records of various sizes.

A further objectoflthe invention is to provide a depressible" pin for engaging records upon a with slight frictional resisance. I i l L' A `further object ofthe invention is to provide a `depressing pin formed to permit easy4 engagement with the record and avoid wearthereof.

A further object of theinvention is to provide means whereby any particular record may be re- -..peated as often as desired. 4 o o Other objects, advantages and capabilities of theinvention will hereinafter appear from the' following description of a preferredembodiment thereof, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation `oi! a phonoi graph embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a, sectional plan thereof, taken on th line 2-2 of Fig.1; i.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the pick-up head in central relation with repect to a series of records and lassociated elements which vare shown in section;

Fig. 4 isa sectional detail on` a large scaletaken on the line I-l of Fig. 3; o o o Fig.v 5 is a sectional plan taken on the line 5 5 y-ofFig.4; a

Fig. 6 is a developed 'elevationof the depressing pin shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 'l is an elevation, partly in section, showing a modified form of adjustable depressing pin;

Fig. 8 is a similar view of a further modifi- 45 cation; i i (i o Fig. 9 is a sectional detail on the line 3-3 of 8- Fig. 10 is an inverted plan on the line III-I0 of Figs; f Fig. 11 .is a fronty elevational 'view of`a pick-up provided with means to permit, a particular record f tobe repeated; r

Fig. `12 is aside viewthereof. o o Fig.'13is a sectional detail view of a further form of adjustable depressing pin.

Fig.- 14 Vis a plan view .of/a collar employed therrn."v Fig. 15 is an elevationalview of same c an Fig. 16 is an inverted plan detail of the stirrup;

and i y record.l

Fig. 17 is a sectional detail of the lower end of table seriatim, which arm carries a depressing pin adapted to depress the depressible pin, engage the top record through its opening. and remove said For convenience II will describe the invention in -connection with the phonograph describedand claimed in my co-pending application Serial No.

` 494,560, illed November 10, 1930,in which the T tone arm is actuated to effect the record removal. It must be understood, however, that I do 20` not intend to be limited to such structure except when set forth in the accompanying claims. l

Referring to the drawings, the. numeral Il! .designates phonograph records which are stacked in desired number upon a `turntable II which is 25 driven from a suitable motor (not shown) through a gear I2 rigidly carried on its underside. The turntable IIis rigidly mounted on the upper end of a spindle I3, which is rotatably mounted in th'e mechanism framework. The spindle I3'is hollow 30 and receives the-hollow pin Il which is normally projected above the table VI I for a substantial distance by means of an enclosed coil spring I5, so as to enter the central openings of the records f III.v The pin I4 is preferably slightly tapered so 35 as to reduce the friction opposing its depression. The spindle I3 carries an integral gear I6, by`

`means of which the player arm Il is actuated" to remove the records after they are played. The gear I6 engages a gear I8 mounted on a spindle I9 which also carries a .gear 20. The gear 20 engages a gear 2I which is rigidly secured to a notched wheel 23 and to a spacer disk 24 interposed therebetween. The assembly 22, 23, 24 is freely mounted upon a spindle 25. The spindle 25 rigidly carries a diskf26 and two cams 2l and 28. The disk 26 carries a springpressedpawl 29 which is adapted to engage the notched wheel v23 and clutch same to the spindle 25, exceptwhen said pawl is 'engaged by the pin 3l) as hereinafter 50 described. n

The camv 21 is engagedby a cam roll 3I which is carried by the link 32, one end of which is pivotally secured to a stepped disk 33. The other end oi' the link 32 is bifurcated and slides in a 55 grooveprovided by sleeves on the spindle 125. The disk 33 isQpivotally supported upon a boss 34 which depends from a support 35 which is mounted upon the motor bard"'36. The support 35 is provided with a vertical bore which 60` v provides a bearing for a hollow stem 31. At its upper end the stem 31 carries a rearwardly extending arm 38 to which the rear end of the player arm I1 is pivotally secured. A spring 39 is provided to counterbalance the weight of the player arm I1.

A rod 40 is pivotally connected to the player arm I1 and extends downwardly through the hol. row stem 31, its lower end being reduced to provide a shoulder 4I which engages a bell crank lever 42 pivotally mounted on the mechanism frame as shown at 43. The bell crank lever 42 is pivotally connected to a link 44, the forward end of which is bifurcated and slides in a groove provided in a sleeve mounted on the spindle 25. .Y

The link 44 carries a cam roll 45 which cooperates with the cam 28.

The pin 30 is carried on the underside of a bar 46 which is biiurcated at one end to slide in a groove provided in a sleeve mounted on the spincile 25. The other end of the bar 46 is provided with a slot 41 which receives the reduced end of a pin 48 so that the bar 46 may slide longitudinally. A tension spring 49 connected to the bar 46 and the pin 48 tends to draw the bar away fromthe pawl 29 with the pin 39 out of the path of said pawl.

A sector arm 561s rigidly carried by the lower end of the -hollow stem 31. The sector has an outer arcuate edge I and an arcuate slot 52, the in ner edge of which is cut away at its open end as shown at 53. A pin 54 projecting from the upper side of the bar 46 is adapted to enter the slot 52. As the player arm I1 is moved to initial playing position the sloping surface 53 engages the pin 54 and moves the bar 46 to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 and brings the pin 30 into the path of the projecting tail of the pawl 29 so that said pawl is disengaged from the notched wheel 23 when said wheel rotates the pawl 29 into engagement with the pin 38.

A paw1 55 pivotauy mounted on the bar 4e is' provided with a projection 56 which is adapted to abut against the edge 5I of the sectory 50. The

opposite end of the pawl 55 carries a projection 51 which is normally held against an abutment 58 by means of a spring 59 so as to keep the projection 56 directed towards the edge 5I.

When the player arm moves towards initial playing position and the bar 46 is moved to the left as described above, the pawl 55 is engaged by the edge 60 of the sector and then rotates into the position shown in Fig. 2. A'I'he spindle 25 continues to rotate until the pawl 29 makes contact with the pin 38, whereupon the spindle is operatively disconnected from the wheel 28. During the rst portion of the playing of the record the bar 46 is maintained in its left hand position by the engagement of the pin 54 with v the inner edge of the slot 52- When the pin enters the flared end of the slot 52, the pawl 55 keeps the bar 46 in the left hand position. If the record ends in a spiral groove the pawl 55 overruns the edge 60 of the sector and the pawl 29 is released. If the record ends in an eccentric groove, the rst reverse movement of the sector 58 topples the pawl 56 and the pawl 29 is released. When the pawl 29 is released it engages the next notch of the rotating wheel 23 and the spindle 25 rotates one revolution until the pawl 29 again engages the pin 30, which at that time has returned to its pawl engaging position.

An annular member 6I is mounted on the mol--which projects through a slot 65 in the motor board 36. 'I'his pin may be secured to the motor board by a suitable nut (not shown) and its position in the slot 65 adapts the machine for records o f different sizes. The radial arm 63 carries a depending pin 66 which is adapted to engage the rear end of a pawl 61 mounted on the sector arm 50. The forward end of -the pawl 61 is adapted to enter a notch 68 in the edge of the disk 33 at the beginning of or during the playing period.

A spring 69 secured to the motor board 36 and to a pin which depends from the disk 33 normally tends to rotate the disk in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2.V A collar 1I depending from the sector arm 56 prevents the link 12 connecting this spring from passing through dead center. The disk 33 carries a depending pin 13 which is adapted to engage the sector 50 to actuate the player arm. The pivot pin 14 of the at the Sametime cleans the record. The stirrup 18 carries a depressing pin 80 which will be hereinafter more particularly described. The nature of the cams 21 and 28 will more readily be undex-stood if described in connection with the operation of the machine.

The operation is as follows: The machine is shown in the initial playing position, the turntable II is rotating, the top record I8 is being played and the shaft is at rest, the pawl 29 being held out of engagement with the notched wheel 23. After playing the pawl 29 is released in the manner described above and the shaft 25 is driven through one revolution which effects the removal of the top record I8.

` At the beginning of the revolution, the cam roller 45 rides upon a rise 8l on the cam 26 and the player arm I1 is elevated from the record. The cam roller 3I then passes over a, cam fall 82 on a cam 21 and the spring 69 rotates the arm I1 about its vertical axis, the cam rest 83 arresting the movement when the pin 80 is in the plane of the pin I4 and shaft 31.

The cam roller 45 then rides down a fall 84 on the cam 28 and the player arm I1 is lowered s0 that the pin 88 depresses the pin I4 for a distance approximately the same as the thickness of a record. The cam roller 3i then overruns the cam rest 83 and the spring 69 throws the player arm I1 and played record I0 laterally and the record is received in a suitable receptacle (not shown).

The cam follower 45. then rides up a cam rise 86 so that the player arm is returned to initial playing position. The arm is arrested at such position by the engagement of the pawl 61 with the pin 66 which is adjustable as described above to play records of desired size.

I will now describe in detail the pin 88 an associated elements. I prefer to provide means whereby the effective length of the pin may be varied at will to adapt it to cooperate with A:is

records of different thicknesses. At present there are on the market records approximately one-tenth of an inch thick and records one-thirty second of an inch thick, and it is expected that records of smaller thickness .will come into use owing to their outstanding advantages with respect to storage space andamount of material in the record. i

In the modication shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, the pin 88 is freely mounted in a bore in the stirrup 18 and is provided with a head 88 whereby it may be adjusted by hand. The underside of the head 88 is engaged by a leaf spring 81 which normally presses the pin 88 upwards. 'I'he pin 88 is provided with a circumferential slot 88, a developed view of which is shown in Fig. 6. This slot opens into a. plurality o f downwardly directed recesses 89, 98, 9| and 92 which are 1ocated at different levels. `A screw 94 extends through the stirrup 18 into the slot 88 and is` adapted to be brought into any of said recesses to vary the projection of the pin 88 beyond the shoulder 95 of the stirrup. Thus when the screw 94 is in the recess 89 the pin 88, may, for example, project downwardly one-tenth of an inch; when it is in recess 98 the pin may project downwardly one-thirty second of a'n inch; when the screw 84 is in the recess 9| the pin mayproject downwardly one-hundredth of an inch; and when the screw is in the recess 92 the pin may be flush with the shoulder 85 so that the pin 88 does not depress the pin I4, the top record is not removed but is played repeatedly as long as desired. It

will readily be understood that the pin I88 may be l brought into any position of adjustment by merely depressing it again. i

In Fig. 3, I show further means for effecting i repeated playing of any particular record. This means consists of a small cap.. 98 which is applied to the top of the pin I4. 'I'his cap has a flange 91 which projects over the top recordl Aaround the central opening therein. It will readily be understood that when the player arm descends in the center of the record, as above.

lof the records I8 is resumed.

As shown in Fig. 5 it is preferred to form the lower end of the pin 88somewhat `smaller than the central openings of the records so that it may readily enter into. same. In orderto minimize wear of the record by the pin 88, I prefer to form the end of the pin 88 of the cross section shown in Fig. 5 with cylindrical faces of the same curvature as the record openings.

In the modification shown in Fig. '1, the pin 88 is threaded into the stirrup 18 and isprovided with a kerf 98 to permitA adjustment. The pin is provided with a head 99 which limits the downward projection of thepin to an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the thickest records intended to be used. The lower end of the-pin 88 is shouldered as shown at |88, which shoulder may limit the inward position of the pin so that its underface is substantially flush with the shoulder 85 of the stirrup so as `pin at suitable positions so that when same are brought into the plane of the shoulder 95, the pin isadjusted for standard thin records. In order to avoid excessive size ofthe stirrup 18, the pin 88 may be offset relatively to the stylus 11 and the cam 21 is accordingly modied to bring the pin 88 into cooperative relation to the pin I4.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the stirrup 18 is mounted upon lugs |88 carried by the underside of the pick-up 18 on one side of the stylus '|1. In this modification the pin 88 is freely movable in an opening in the stirrup and r is normally pressed upwardly by a spring 81,

which may be a coiled spring, acting `upon the underside of the head 88. The pinl 88 rigidly carries a.laterally projecting pin |84 which is adapted to enter radial slots |85, |86, |81 and |88, cut in the face or shoulder of the stirrup 18.- 'I'hese slots are of various depthsto provide adjustment of the projection of the pin 88 as described above in connection with the modiiication shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. It will readily be understood that such projection may readily f be modied by depressing the pin 88 against the action of the spring 81 and rotating it to bring Ythe pin |84 into the desired slot.A

In Figs. 1l and 12, I show a further embodi- .ment of the invention comprising means for preventing the removal of any particular record and causing same to be played repeatedly. In this embodiment I pivotally support a second stirrup |89 upon the pick-up 16 so that it will interpose a ilat bar ||8 between the pin 88 and the pin I4 so that the latter is not depressed below the top plane of the top record. 'I'he stirrup |89 may be held in an elevated position by a clip to permit .the playing and removal of records seriatim in the normal operation of the machine.

In Figs. 13 to 17, I show a further embodiment ,of the adjustable depressive pin, in which the pin I2 is rigidly carried by the stirrup I3. The pin ||2 may be secured in position by means of apin ||4`which is driven into the stirrup and pin |`|2 after the collar H5 and spring H8 are mounted thereon. The pin ||2 is provided with an enlarged head ||1, which'has a sliding t in `the bore of the collar. The upper side of the collar is cut away to provide opposite pairs of seats ||8, H9, |28 and I 2|, located circumferentially in order of depth. The two fingers |22 formed by' sets of seats are separated by residual parts of the collar which overhang the head ||1 of the ,pin ||2 and prevent removal of 'the collar therefrom. The fingers |22 bear against the upper reduced portin of the pin I2 and provide upper bearings for the collar.

'Ihe stirrup H3 carries diametrically teeth |29.which are adapted to engage the seats ||8, H9, |28 and|2|, so as to vary .the effect length of the pin H2, that is, the amount of the pin which projects belowthe lower face of the collar IIB. The collar is pressed upwardly against the teeth |23 by the spring I8, which bears against the underside of the fingers |22. The head l1 is preferably provided with an annular groove |25 tov receive the lower portion' of the spring H8.

As will readily beseen from the drawings, be- .tween the adjacent seats H8, ||9, |28 and |2|, the-collar is provided with sloping facets to facilitate the rotation of the collar to move the teeth |23 from one seat to the next. These facets extend above the level of the adjacent opposite seats slightly so as to prevent accidental rotaward pressure. Theseats.-I|8,-I|9, |20 and I2I. .are'looated at( different levels to provide the desired effective lengths of depressing pin. Thus the engagement of the teeth |23 with the deepest seats ||2 permits the. pin I| 2 to project one. tenth ofv an inch below the lower surface of the collar to adapt the machine to composition records of standardsize. When the teeth engage the seats H9, the extent of projection of the pin ||2 is decreased to adapt the machine to play records at, for example, one-thirty-secondth of an inchthickness. When the teeth engage the seats |2|l the machine is adjusted to play records of say one-hundredth of an inch in thickness. Finally when the teeth engage the seats I 2|, the pin H2 no longer projects below the lower. surface of the collar and the top record is repeatedly played until the collaris again adjusted.

The head l Il of the pin ||2 maysuitably be of the same size as the opening in the records. Its lower end, which enters the record openings. is cut away so as to render it smaller than said openings,leaving the portion IH, which engages the record during removal, of. the original curused to effect record removalsince other means may be employed for the purpose. Furthermore, such means are not necessarily automatic. They may, for example, be operated by hand, or by means of manually actuated`means.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the specific details of preferred embodiments thereof, itjmust be understood thatsuch details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except insofaras set forth in the accompanying-claims.

Having .thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a. phonograph, in combinati9n,..-a/-table adapted to support a stack of records, a depressible pin adapted to extend through the openings therein, means to depress said pin to permit removal of a record, and said pin being slightly tapered along its length to reduce friction oppos` ing said depression.

2. In aphonograph, in combination, a table adapted to support a stack of records, a depressible pin adapted to extend through the openings therein, resilient means normally projecting said pin outwardly and means to depress the pin by exteriorly applied force, said pin being tapered slightly along its length to reduce friction opposing said depression. 3. In a phonograph, in combination, a turntable adapted to support a stack of records, a des pressible pin adapted to extend through the openings therein, a spring normally projecting the pin outwardly, and meansto. depress said pin to permit the removal of a record, said pin being tapered slightly along its length to reduce friction opposing said depression.

4. VIn a phonograph, in combination, a turntable adapted to support a record having a circular opening, a pin capable of translatory movement over said table and adapted to enter `said opening, said pin being smaller than said opening and provided with a face of substantially the same curvature.

5. In a phonograph, in combination, a table adapted to support. a stack of records, a depresf aoaara'o' -ings thereof, a pin adapted to engage said depressible pin, a shoulder associated with said depressing pin adapted to engage the surface of the top record to limit the entry of said depressing pin vinto the record opening, and means forl modifying the eective projection of thedepressing pin beyond the shoulder.

6. In a phonograph, in combination, atable ing pin into the record opening, and means for affecting the effective length of the pin to adapt same for use with records of varying thickness.

7. In a phonograph, a table adapted to support a series of records, a depressible pin extending through the openings therein, means for 4depressing said pin to remove a record, and

means adapted to be interposed therebetween to prevent removal of said record.

8. In a phonograph, a table adapted to support a series of records, a'. depressible pin extending through the openings therein, a depressing pin adapted to depress the depressible pin and remove the top record from the table, and a flanged cap .adapted to be mounted on.v the depressible ,pin to prevent removal of said record. 9..In a phonograph, a table adapted to support a series of records, a depressible pin extending through the openings therein, an arm, a depressing pin carried/by said arm adapted to'de- .press the depressible' pin and remove the top record from the table, and a member pivotally mounted on the arm to swing below the depressing pin when it is desired to repeat the playing of a record. l

10. In a phonograph, in combination, a table adapted to support a stack of records, a depres-v sible pin adapted to project through the openings thereof, .a pin adapted to engage said depressible pin, a collar mounted on said depressing pin adapted to engage the surface of the top record to limit the entry of said depressing pin into the record opening, and means for maintaining Athe collar in a plurality of positions with respect to the depressing pin.

l1. In a phonograph, a player arm, means suspended therefrom carrying a pin, movable means associated therewith adapted to modify the effective length of said pin, a table adapted to support a plurality of records, a depressible pin adapted to project through the openings in the records, and means for actuating the depressing pin to depress the depressible pin and remove the record from the table.

l2. In a phonograph, a table for records, a depressible pin adapted to extend through the records, a depressing pin adapted to cooperate therewith, and means relatively movable with respect to the depressing pin to vary its effective length.

13. In a phonograph, a table for records, a depressible pin adapted to extend through thedepressible pin andremove the top record, and. -means for' adjusting the effective length of the depressing pin.

14. In a phonograph, a table for records, a depressible pin adapted to extend through the aoaaiso I records, a depressing pin adapted to depress said depressible pin. a player arm carrying the depressing pin, means for actuating the arm in vertical and transverse directions to depress the depressible pin and removey the top record, and

. means for adjusting the effective 'length of the depressing pin.

15. In a phonograph, a table for records, a

depressible pin adapted to extend through thek records, a depressing pin adapted todepress said depressible pin, a stirrup carrying. the depressing pin, a pick-up on which said` st'rrup` is pivotally mounted, a player, arm carry "g the pick-up,` meansfor lactuating the player arm in vertical and transverse directions to depress vthe depressible pin and remove the top record, and means for adjusting the 'effective length of the depressing pin.Y

` 16. A record changer phonograph including a rotating turntable adapted to carrya stack of records, a movable center pin upwardly biased to project above the uppermost of the stack of records on the turntable during the playing operations, and means to depress the center pin so that its upper end is positioned at the lower surface of the uppermost record, to, free saidl uppermost record for removal between playing operations. i

. 17, A record changer phonograph including a. rotating turntable adapted to receive a pile of records, a `depressible centerA pintherefor, means mfor `depressing the pin'so that its upper end is positioned at the lower surface of the topmost record, to free said topmost record on the turntable, means for lremoving the topmost record' l, between playing 'perationa and resilient means' operating between playing operations for again C vraising the pinA abovelthe remaining records.

181 In'a phonograph, in combination, a rotatring turntable adapted to `support a stack of recordsya pin vadapted to extend through openl ings therein, means adapted to depress said pin' so that itsupper end is positioned substantially at the lower surface of. the topmost record and to 'remove said topmost record Vby lateral 'sliding movement, and resilient means adaptedto force v the pinnupwards after said removal.

l 19.` In a phonograph, in combination, a rotating turntable adapted to` support a stack of records,

a pin adapted to extend through the'openings Vtherein above the surface of the top record,

` record removing means adapted to enter the turntable, a depressible pin adapted to center a stack of records thereon, spring means normally forcing the ldepressible pin upwardly, an arm adapted to move above said record stack, a

magazine located laterally of, and below, the` turntable and adapted to receive played records, and operative means for actuating said arm to cause it to move to depress said pin, engage the i topmost record of said stack Vanol slide it off, while the record therebeneath is: held centered bysaid/--movable pin to free the topmost record only, and

`after said next record has beenl played.

21. A phonograph comprising a player armfa turntable adapted yto support a stack oi records,

a motor for rotating the turntable continuously during the playing of said stack, a depressible pin in said turntable projecting through the center holes of said records, spring means normally biasing the depressible pin tol a position in which itsupper end is yabove said records, an arm carrying a depressing pinadapted to depress said depressible pin, means associated with the depressing pin for engaging thetopmost record to limit the entry of the depressing pin to a distance substantially the thickness of a record, means for swinging said arm transversely of the turntable to slide off said topmost record, a receptacle adjacent the turntable to receive the removed records, means for raisingthe arm and returning it to engage thenext record, and means oontrolled by the player arm for initiating the record removal movements of the first said arm.

22. In a phonograph, in combination, a. rotating turntable adapted to support a stack of records, a depressible center pin passing through the holes in said records, resilient means normally tending to force the depressible pin upwardly with its upper end above the records, means above the turntable for depressing said pin just enough to free the top record, the records below the top l record being held in place by the depressible pin,

and means for sliding the top record oi the stack.

23. In an automatic phonograph,vin combination, a record supporting means, a depressible pintor centering a stack of records on said supporting means, a member above said` record supporting means, actuating means for said member for causing it to depress said pin and slide the topmost record Voil said stackwhile `the records therebeneath are held centeredby said pin, resilient means biasing the pin upwardly `whereby it is caused to bear against the topmost record during Iremoval and tolproject above the remain.

ing records aftersaid removal.

24. In combination, a phonograph comprising a rotating .turntableadapted to support a stack 'of records, a depressible pin extending through said records, means movable above the stack hav- Qing a limited entry into the opening of the top a rotating turntable adaptedto support a stack` i of records, a depressible pin extending through said records,=means having a limited entry into the opening of the top record'for freeing said record, means for causing said record to slide oil.'

the stack, and resilient means biasingV the`depressible pin upwardly against said depressing means, and against the topmost record during `its removal and causing it to project upwardly means for moving the said movable pin transversely to'" cause the topmost record to slide over the surface therebeneath and thereby effect the removal 'of the topmost record from thestack.

27. In an automatic phonograph, in combina-` J- 'l tion, a support fora stack of records, a centering pin on said support adapted to project through the openings of said records. resilient means blasing said pin outwardly from the support so as to cause it to project beyond said records, record removing means, means actuating said record removing means to depress said pin just sufllcient to free the topmost record therefrom and to cause it to move laterally thereby causing said topmost record to slide over the top of the record therebeneath.

28.- A record changer phonograph including a rotating turntable adapted to carry a stack of records, a movable center pin upwardly biased to tend to project above the uppermost of the stack of records on the turntable, and means for engaging the uppermostend of said center pin to depress it so that said upper end is positioned substantially at the lower surface of the uppermost record to free said uppermost record for removal between playing operations.

-29. A record changer phonograph including a rotating turntable adapted to receive a pile of records, a depressible center pin therefor, means for engaging the uppermost end of said pin and depressing it so that its upper end is positioned substantially at the lower surface of the topmost record to free said topmost record on the turntable, means for removing the topmost record between playing cperations, and resilient means operating between playing operations for again raising the pin above the remaining records.

30. In a phonograph, in combination, a rotating turntable adapted to support a stack of records, a depressible center pin passing through the holes in said records, resilient means normally tending to force the depressible pin upwardly with its upper end above the records, means movable above the turntable for engaging the top of said pin and depressing it just enough to free the top record, the records below the top record being held in place by the depressible pin, and means for sliding the top record oil the stack.

31. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a rotating turntable, a depressible pin for centering a stack of records on'said turntable, a member above said turntable, actuating means for said member for causing it to engage said pin to depress said pin and slide the topmost record off said stack while the records therebeneath are held centered by said pin, resilient means biasing the pin upwardly whereby it is caused to bear against the topmost record during removal and to project above the ,remaining records after said removal.

32. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a rotating turntable adapted to support a stack of records, a centering pin on said turntable adapted to project through the openings of said records, resilient means biasing said pin outwardly from the turntable so as to cause it to project beyond said records, record removing means, means actuating said record removing means to cause it to engage and depress said pin just suflicient to free the topmost record `therefrom and to cause it to move laterally, thereby causing said topmost record to slide off over the top of the record therebeneath.

33. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable located in a xed plane adapted to receive a stack of records to be played, driving means for continuously rotating the turntable during playing and record removal, said turntable having a spindle provided with a central bore, a depressible pin slidably mounted in said bore, a spring within said bore normally projecting the pin through the openings in the records and substantially above said turntable, a plvotally mounted depressing member movable above said turntable and capable of moving downwardly by gravity through the space occupied by the stack of records, means for holding said depressible member elevated, means for releasing said depressing member whereupon it may descend by gravity into contact with the upper end of the pin to depress same and enter the opening of the topmost record, means associated with the depressing member for engaging the surface of the topmost record limiting the entry of the depressing member so that its lower end is located substantially at the underside of the topmost record, and means for moving the depressible member laterally to slide the topmost record off the records therebeneath, which records are retained by the pin, whereby the records of the stack are removed successively at the different levelspthey occupy in the stack and the pin moves upwardly above the records after the removal of a record.

'34. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable adapted to rotate in a xed plane and adapted to support a stack of records to be played, a depressible center pin adapted to project upwardly through the openings in said records, resilient means tending to move the pin upwardly, and a depressing member movable above said stack and adapted to engage said pin and move it downwardly to a position at or near the surface of the turntable, and means associated with said depressing member adapted to engage the surface of the topmost record to arrest saidq member and limit its depression of the pin to a position at or near the lower surface of the topmost record.

J35. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable adapted to rotate in a fixed plane and adapted'to support a stack of records to be played, a depressible center pin adaptedto project upwardly through the openings in said records, resilient means tending to move the pin upwardly, and a depressing member movable above said stack and adapted to engage said pin and move it downwardly to a position at or near the surface of the turntable, means associated with said depressing member adapted to engage the surface of the topmost record to arrest said member and limit its depression of the pin to a position at or near the lower surface of the topmost record, and means for moving the depressing member transversely to slide the topmost record olf the stack.

36. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable adapted to rotate in a fixed plane and adapted to support a stack of records to be played and removed successively, a depressible center pin adapted to project upwardly through the openings in said records, resilient means tending to move the pin upwardly, and a depressing member movable above said stack and capable of engaging said pin and moving downwardly through the position occupied by the records to be removed and depressing said pin correspondingly, and means associated with said depressing member for engaging the top surface of the topmost record to arrest said depressing member and limit the depression of the pin substantially to the lower ysurface of the topmost record.

37. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable adapted to rotate in a fixed plane and adapted to support a stack of records to be played and removed successively, a depressible pin substantially at the level of the underside of r the topmost record, said depressing member being center pin adapted to project upwardly through the openings in said records, resilient means tending to move the pin upwardly, and a depressing member movable above said stack and capable of engaging said pin and moving downwardly through the position occupied bythe records to be removed and depressing said pin correspondingly, means associated with said depressing member for engaging, the top surface of the topmost record to arrest said depressing member and limit the depression of the pin substantially to the lower surface of the topmost record, and means for moving the depressing member transversely to slide the topmost record 0H the stack.

38. In an automatic phonographfin combination, a rotating turntable, a depressible pin centering a stack of records thereon, means for er1- gaging the upper end of said pin and successively depressing the pin a distance increasing each time by the thickness of one record, means for engaging the surface of the topmost record to limit the depression of said pinlsubstantially to the lower surface of the topmost record, and resilient means urging said pin up again to the same initial position after each depression.

39. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a rotating turntable, a depressible pin centering a stack o1' records thereon to'be removed one by one, means for engaging the upper end of said pin and depressing it through the space occupied by the records to be removed, means associated with said engaging means for contacting the topmost record and limiting the depression of the pin substantially to the lower surface of the topmost record, and resilient means urging said pin back to its initial position. i

40. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable rotating in a xed plane, a depressible centering pin adapted to project upwardly through a stack of records on said turntable, a spring normally projecting'said pin upwardly beyond the stack of records, a depressing member adapted to engage said pin and depress it through the topmost record, and means associated with the depressing member for engaging the topmost record and arresting the depressing member with the upper end of the depressible actuated impositively whereby it may be arrested at various levels for the removal of the records i of the stack successively.

41. In an automatic phonograph, in combina-A tion, a turntable rotating in a fixed plane, a depressible centering pin adapted to project upwardly through a stack of' records on said turntable, a spring normally projecting said pin upwardly beyond the stack of records, a depressing member adapted to engage said pin and depress it through the topmost record, means associated with the depressing member for engaging the topmost record and arresting the depressing member with the upper end of the depressible pin substantially at the level of the underside of the topmost record, said depressing member being actuated impositively whereby it may be arrested at various levels forthe removal of the records of the stack successively, and means for moving the depressing member transversely to slide the topmost record oi the stack.

4,2. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable rotating in a xed plane, a depressible centering pin adapted to project upwardly through a stack of records on said turntable, a spring normally projecting said pin upwardly beyond the stack of records, a depressing member adapted to engage said pin and depress it through the topmost record, and means associated with the depressing member for engaging the topmost record and arresting the depressing member with the upper end of the depressible pin substantially at the level of the underside of the topmost record, said depressing member being arranged to descend by gravity whereby it may be arrested at various levels for the removal of the records of the stack successively.'

43. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable rotating in a fixed plane, a depressible centering pin adapted to project upwardly through a stack of records on saidturntable, a spring normally projecting said pin upwardly beyond the stack of records, a depress' ing member adapted to engage said pin and depress it through the topmost record, means associated with the depressing member for engaging the topmost record and arresting the depressing member with the upper end of the dei pressible pin substantially at the level f the underside of the topmost record, said depressing member being arranged to*` descend by gravity whereby it may be arrested "at various levels for the removal of the records of the stack successively, and means for moving the depressing member transversely to slide the topmost record oil the stack.

44. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a rotating turntable occupying a fixed plane and adapted to receive a stack of records, a central spindle carrying said turntable and having a bore at'least equal in depth to the thickness of the stack `of records, a pin slidably mounted Within said bore, and a spring Within said bore normally projecting the pin outwardly so that its upper end is above the topmost record, and a depressing member capable of engaging and depressing the depressible member through substantially all the space occupied by the stack of records.

45. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable adapted to receive a stack of records, means for continuously rotating said turntable during the successive playing and removal of said records, said turntable having a depressible` centering pin extending through the openings in said records, means movable above said stack adapted to depress said pin suiciently to free the topmost record, and means for displacing the topmost record from its centered position, whereupon the rotation of the turntable aids in removing said topmost record'from the stack.

46. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a turntable adapted to receive a stack of records, means'for continuously rotating said turntable during the successive playing and removal of said records, said turntable having a depressible centering pin extending through the openings in said records, a record removing arm movableabove said stack adapted to depress said pin sumciently to free the topmost record and to displace the topmost record from its centered position, whereupon the rotation of the turntable aids in removing said topmost record from the 

